GORDON SMITH knew his appointment as Rangers' first director of football would raise eyebrows and spark suspicion.

But the former SFA head honcho is adamant he's here to help not hinder new boss Ally McCoist.

And Smith insists there will never be a Fernando Torres at Chelsea type situation where a player is foisted on the gaffer against his wishes, having been caught in the middle of a similar power struggle himself while playing in Switzerland during the 80s.

Smith said: "I'll be based at Murray Park and oversee the football side to ensure everything is run correctly.

"I'll also take on board what people in different departments are saying and analyse it.

"What we're looking for in all areas is best practice - from youth through to scouting for the first team .

"A situation where a player is signed above the manager won't happen here at all.

"That's quite a strange thing but I experienced it in Switzerland. I'd gone to Basel and dealt with the general manager while the coach just took the team.

"I found out later the coach didn't really want me and the general manager had brought me in.

"I never really understood how they worked that at Chelsea and in other countries - somebody else buying the players.

"At Rangers I'll play a part and make recommendations but the manager has ultimate responsibility for all transfers and it has to be that way."

Smith accepts Rangers' days of competing for players with football's financial superpowers are long gone.

And he admitted the three-in-a-row champions are now struggling to stave off competition from clubs in England's second tier.

That stark reality has already been hammered home after the Light Blues missed out on Craig Conway and Neil Danns who both chose the Championship over a chance to play in the Champions League.

And it has reinforced Smith's belief the club need to produce more stars.

He said: "Craig Whyte is very keen on developing local talent rather than bringing in foreign players all the time and eventually it'll benefit the club scene and the national team.

"There's been a degree of stagnation in the game but we've still produced good young players such as Ross McCormack, Chris Burke, Danny Wilson, Charlie Adam and now the likes of Jamie Ness, Kyle Hutton and Gregg Wylde.

"Rangers can no longer compete with the top clubs in England. The biggest change now though is Championship clubs are also paying high wages.

"But I still feel players should make football decisions rather than financial ones. I'd want to play in the Champions League but a lot of guys these days are thinking financially."

Smith will look to enhance the Ibrox scouting network and enable the club to scour the globe for talent. He also revealed Gers will seek to unearth foreign bargains like Celtic have done with Emilio Izaguirre and Beram Kayal.

He said: "We hope to bring in three or four players before the season starts.

"I'll work with Neil Murray and John Brown to help structure a scouting network around the world.

"You're looking to bring in a player for a reasonable amount of money and sell him on - that keeps the club going."